The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-04
GEMS BY THE THOUSAND.
The Approaching Auction of the Grown Jew
els If France-Diamonds Galore.


downfall of Napoleon III the French govern
ment has been anxious to get rid of the crown
jewels in some way. They were too suggestive
Of the times and grandeur Of departed monarchs.
Every stone in the great collection was his
tory IN itself, and continually reminded the peo-
pie of the power that they had overthrow
The first attempt to dispose of them was made
il 1871, when II. Herve de Sasy introduced
resolution in the Chamber Of Deputies ordering
that the jewels be sold. No action was taken
on the resolution by the Chamber, but the prop
osition was considered by the Chamber again
in 1873 on the motion of NJ Benjamin Raspail.
and again final action was taken touching 1t.
Two years later NJ. Jules Ferry introduced a
bill in the Chamber providing for the sale OF
the gems, with the stipulation that the proceeds
should be devoted TO the endowment OF the ma
tional museums This proposition was later
modified so as to divide the collection into three
categories First, certain number of the jew
els, considered as objects of art or as having
some extra historical value, were to be preserved
in one of the national museums; second. some
were to be added to the mineralogical collection
OF the museums and the school of mines; third,
ali the rest were to be put up at public auction
and knocked down to the highest bidder
This proposition was before the Chamber for
long time, and was also not acted upon. owing
that the proceeds of the sale should be devoted
to the creation of a fund for the benefit of dis
ahled workmen. Other members of the Cham
Der wanted the money devoted to various pur-
poses, and the result was that the Chamber
adjourned without arriving at a conclusion.
In 1882 commission of experts was appoint
ed to examine the diamonds and appraise their
value. In their report they ADVISED that the
plan suggested by NJ. Ferry be adopted-viz,
that some of the diamonds be preserved to tbs
nation and the rest be sold for the public good
They made the interesting statement. too, that.
since the last inventory OF the jewels, which
was taken in 1871, diamonds had decreased in
value, while pearls had increased In value just
much the diamonds had decreased. The
entire collection was worth they said q, 267,-
040f and the famous Regent diamond alone was
worth l2000000f. The Regent diamond was
bought in 1902 for $780, 600, by Mr. Pitt, the
Governor of Madras 1t was cut as a brilliant
at cos: of $15 900. and in I'LL was sold to the
Regent Orleans for Louis Nv for $500, o00f.
When the French Revolution broke out this
famous stone was sent to Berlin, hut reappeared
in the hilt of the sword of state by
Napoleon l. 1t weighs 1867 carats; before 1t
was cut it weighed 40 carats. This diamond
the French republic has decided not to sell
The report of the commission of experts
formed the basis of the project that NJ. Ferry
laid before the Chamber Of Deputies in 1882,
and which was somewhat similar to the one he
had previously fathered. NJ. Raspail was ap
pointed chairman of committee to determine
| at auction. NJ. Raspal particularly anx-
ious that the centure fSrdle), lot No. 80 in the
catalogue. that Eugene wore but once. should
be sold, and he carried his point. 1t is worth
go. 000f. 1t was also decided to sell but seven
| of the famous Mazarin diamonds-there are six
| teen altogether. These diamonds were given to
| Louis XIV by Cardinal Mazarin, and were set
| in the eight branches of his crown. Lomene de
| Brienne. who wasfor many years Minister under
| Louis XIV, reproached Cardinal MaZarin for his
| vanity in presenting these diamonds to the
crown on condition that they should be called
| the ''Mazarin' diamonds.
| The work of NJ. Raspail and his committee was
| approved by the Chamber of Deputies and later
| by the Senate of France. and December 10,
| 1885, President Grevy affixed his signature to the
resolution, making it a law, and thus sealing the
fate of this wonderful collection of jewels.
| AS stated above. the gems that are to be auc-
toned off are divided into forty eight lots. In
the first lot two ball hair-pins containing 1924
| diamonds that weigh 100 carats. In the second
| lot are two shoulder knots, which there are
| no less than i ,341 diamonds. This interesting
| foible is worth 100, 000f There more shoul
der knots in the third lot made in the style th al
prevailed in the days of Marie Antonette, and
on which 900 diamonds sparkle. In the next few
| lots there some two hundred rose diamonds
small but very valuable; shoulder knot with
two tassels, IN which there are 9, 438 brliants
| and 1S6 rose diamonds; crescent, with 50 stones
| back comb containing 486 diamonds, of which
| 100 are rose. and seven stars in which there are
| 215 stones.
The tenth lot is necklace worth 100, 00of
! There are four folds or .'rveres" to the neck
| lace. In the first there are SO stones in the
second, 45; in the third 81; in the fourth 49, and
| pendant from the whole is a locket in which
there are eight jewels.
| Next comes girdle made in imitation of ths
| branches of a currant tree, which Eugene had
made in 1855, and which is-worth go 000f. This
article of the x-Empresss toilet is studded with
| no less than 2.3l4 diamonds, of which 1853 ar.
rose diamonds in imitation of the currants.
| little flower with fifty eight diamonds thai
| often nestled in the tresses of queens; a lot o.
| diamonds that were never taken off the paper OF
which they were carried to the Tuileries, som,
| rose diamonds, lot of small gems set and un
| set, opal in a bud of gold surrounded witt
| Jewels a sapphire, eight round pearls and cor
sage bouquet of gold in which there are 2,63
| diamonds. of which SIG are rose diamonds, ant
| miscellaneous lot of diamonds aud rtbies art
| in the succeeding lots.
The twenty seventh lot is dia6em studded
with emeralds and diamonds there being 500
| of the latter in this costly band, which many
time encrcled Eugenies brow, as we'll as tn
| browS of the queens that preceded her oil
Frances unstable throne.
An interesting article in the next lots is golt
chain with thirtytwo links and 1888 diamonds
also the buckle of girdle in which 295 gems ar
| set
Then comes n pair of head bands which ar
worth 22o, 600 francs, though they contain blu
| 129 stones and several diadems and brooche
and containing something like $500 briiliants
| Think of it! A Russian diadem worth 225 90
francs comes next 1t has 1000 briliants, o
which 442 are rose. Then there is another dia
dem, made after the Greek style, which is ap
praised at 100000 francs. and which almos
creams beneath it's load of $50 brlliants and an
other in which there ISL brilliants. 81 rubies
10 sapphires 80 emeralds. 20 hyacinths, 46 gal
nets. Al turquoses, 48 amethysts and 10 topazes
1t is no wonder that Uneasy is the head tina
wears crown"
The thirty-1ifth lot 1s the one that reused ID
RaspaiPs ire, and which he was determine
should 60 understhe hammer. 1t is the grea
girdle that Eugene wore but once. The Empires
had very much admired belt or girdle worn b,
Mile. Delval, who played the principal role Q
Aka in the "Bche au Bois," and would rot res
satisfied until she got one like it. To the jewe
Ter who was engaged to make the girdle she CAV
all the jewels necessary for its proper adorr
ment from the crown collection; but when tn
grdle or ceinture was finished she didn't like il
and wore it. stated, but once The value G
this relic of the empire is put at $50, 900 francs
1t contains thirty-four huge rose diamonds, 2
Ala brillants. sixty three pearls, two rubies fou
sapphires and eight emeralds.
Probably the most valuable set of jewelry il
the entire collection is lot No. 3S, which is al
praised at 525, 900 francs 1t consists of di;
dem, a crown. brooches and bracelets, and the
contain 1887 brilliants and sixty-seven sal
phires
In the remaining lots there are many broocht
set with brilliants and pearls, handful aftt
handful of pearls and diamonds; necklace